(www.enopress.it). Dianne Boate and Robert Meyer talk about passion, mystery and magic!! A wine event such as the big ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) tasting at Fort Mason

"We said this a long time ago: We never met a Zinfandel we didn’t like.
It looks like 9000 other people think so, too, for that was the estimate of guests at the big ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) tasting at Fort Mason in January, the final event of a 4 day first class festival in San Francisco. It is thought to be the largest single varietal (wine) event in the world. Talk about passion, mystery and magic!!

What is it with Zinfandel????
"I am sure you could easily get 9000 answers, but here is our thought: It’s drinking pleasure that remains fresh, interesting, intriguing! Enormous variety within the varietal, which of course, means locality of vineyards (including the elevation!), the farming practices, pruning, and the winemaker’s style. We are reminded of the words of Robert Mondavi at a wine seminar in Maui: "Ladies and gentlemen, let us not forget that the reason we are in business is to make wine that tastes good." Zinfandel makers know this in spades.

"There are wine events and then there are WINE EVENTS that are so outstanding that you have so much to say you can hardly get it out!! The ZAP organizers are very skilled in creating the greatest hospitality. All details carefully thought out to give you, the patron, the most for your money. You are given a program and an attractive glass and away you go toward the vast array before you. You could taste 550 Zinfandels from 273 producers. There was 1500 pounds of cheese to nibble with 8000 loaves of bread. There were 300 well – trained volunteers in butter yellow shirts to answer all questions and keep things running smoothly.

What was the most interesting discovery at the ZAP tasting?
"Finding out about the Heritage Vineyard in Napa Valley, ….is an unprecedented collection of rare and famous Zinfandel vine cuttings grown throughout California." The now-90 cuttings were culled from vineyards planted before 1930, so called "old vines." James Wolpert, UC Davis Professor and Chair of the Viticulture and Enology Department explains in the ZAP Resource Guide, :"The Heritage Vineyard is a vibrant ‘ongoing’ museum of the grape. For the consumer, the vineyard is living history and provides an easily accessible demonstration of where Zinfandel is really made - in the vineyard. For the wine industry, it has special significance because it represents a resource for future plantings of Zinfandel with a broad range of selections. "For more information on the Heritage Vineyard, membership information, and events, www.zinfandel.org

"Another surprise zin-fat-u-a-tion , a wine for sale from Cost Plus World Market .The label reads: "A condition affecting wine drinkers, characterized by an intense insatiable appetite for the incredibly luscious and lively taste of Zinfandel. 9.99 made by Trinchero Family Estates. Excusively for World Market."

Special Mention
-Sugar Bowl Bakery near the entrance with delicious pastries and hot coffee. A thoughtful addition just right at 10 in the morning.

-Fiscalini Cheese from Modesto ,serving sensational cheese products made from the milk of their own cows. Favorite : San Joaquin Gold, and Horsefeathers, a horseradish cheddar spread. Available Trader Joe’s and Costco and other local markets.

- Good Eats and Zinfandel, the 3 hour wine and food pairing evening event of the festival ; wine from over 50 top Zinfandel makers, each matched with food from a top restaurant or chef. A lot of hearty meats and stews to go with the wine. One of the best dishes was albondigas (special meatballs in sauce) from Tres Agaves restaurant. Favorite wine that night was from Edmeades, Mendocino County.

Dianne Boate & Robert Meyer
She is a freelance writer, photographer and botanical illustrator. Robert Meyer is a consultant to the wine and spirits industry. At the end of a recent wine event, one woman was getting a little too close to Robert. Dianne stood up and announced to him in a loud voice, "The children are hungry." Another guest sputtered, asking how old the children were. Dianne answered, "8,9, and 11." Indignation and confusion reigned for a few minutes until it was disclosed that the children were our cats.

Dianne Boate
415 751-4955 P.O.Box 210325 San Francisco, Ca. 94121-0325 Jpdtmg@aol.com